Immune cell populations and cytokine production in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes after laparoscopic surgery versus conventional laparotomy in mice

Analysis of characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes in endometrial carcinoma: a single-center study based on five-year clinical data

INTRODUCTION

This study analyzed and discussed the characteristics of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) to explore the PBLs' clinical application value.

METHODS

This single-center case‒control study analyzed the clinical data of patients with EC and uterine fibroids who underwent surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between October 2018 and October 2023 retrospectively. The Center for Clinical Molecular Medical Detection of our hospital performed PBLs detection using flow cytometry, and recorded the detection results in the electronic medical records system. Between-group and subgroup comparisons of PBLs in patients with EC were analyzed using t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. The effect of surgery on PBLs in patients with EC was assessed using a paired t-test or the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS

The immune function of patients with EC was significantly lower than that of healthy people (P < 0.05) and those with benign uterine diseases (P < 0.05) and was related to body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, and blood lipids (P < 0.05). In patients with EC, the PBLs counts decreased significantly after surgery (P < 0.05) and more kinds of lymphocytes were affected in the laparoscopic surgery group than in the open surgery group.

CONCLUSIONS

With the decrease of PBLs counts, the immune status of patients with EC is impaired. Metabolic syndrome (Mets), including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and high blood lipids, also affects the immune function of patients with EC. And for EC patients, the effect of laparoscopic surgery is greater than that of open surgery. PBLs has the potential to be one of indicator during the diagnosis and treatment of EC.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was retrospectively registered by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University (approval number K2023-578).

Enhanced Bacteremia in Dextran Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Splenectomy Mice Correlates with Gut Dysbiosis and LPS Tolerance

Because both endotoxemia and gut dysbiosis post-splenectomy might be associated with systemic infection, the susceptibility against infection was tested by dextran sulfate solution (DSS)-induced colitis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection models in splenectomy mice with macrophage experiments. Here, splenectomy induced a gut barrier defect (FITC-dextran assay, endotoxemia, bacteria in mesenteric lymph nodes, and the loss of enterocyte tight junction) and gut dysbiosis (increased Proteobacteria by fecal microbiome analysis) without systemic inflammation (serum IL-6). In parallel, DSS induced more severe mucositis in splenectomy mice than sham-DSS mice, as indicated by mortality, stool consistency, gut barrier defect, serum cytokines, and blood bacterial burdens. The presence of green fluorescent-producing (GFP) E. coli in the spleen of sham-DSS mice after an oral gavage supported a crucial role of the spleen in the control of bacteria from gut translocation. Additionally, LPS administration in splenectomy mice induced lower serum cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) than LPS-administered sham mice, perhaps due to LPS tolerance from pre-existing post-splenectomy endotoxemia. In macrophages, LPS tolerance (sequential LPS stimulation) demonstrated lower cell activities than the single LPS stimulation, as indicated by the reduction in supernatant cytokines, pro-inflammatory genes (iNOS and IL-1β), cell energy status (extracellular flux analysis), and enzymes of the glycolysis pathway (proteomic analysis). In conclusion, a gut barrier defect after splenectomy was vulnerable to enterocyte injury (such as DSS), which caused severe bacteremia due to defects in microbial control (asplenia) and endotoxemia-induced LPS tolerance. Hence, gut dysbiosis and gut bacterial translocation in patients with a splenectomy might be associated with systemic infection, and gut-barrier monitoring or intestinal tight-junction strengthening may be useful.

Myocardial injury in elderly patients after abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

The development of sensitive myocardial-specific cardiac biomarkers allows for detection of very small amounts of myocardial injury or necrosis. Myocardial injury (MI) as a prelude of the serious perioperative complication myocardial infarction, should be paid more attention, especially in elderly susceptible patients. Myocardial injury after abdominal surgery in elderly patients has not been described yet. The objectives of this study were to identify the incidence, predictors, characteristics and the impact of MI on outcome in elderly patients underwent abdominal surgery.

METHODS

Patients aged  ≥ 65 who underwent abdominal surgery longer than 2 h between January 2016 and March 2017 were reviewed. Patients with peak troponin I level of 0.04 ng/ml or greater (abnormal laboratory threshold) within once-administration-period and without non-ischemia troponin elevation proof (e.g., sepsis) were assessed for characteristics and prognosis. Risk factors of MI were determined by multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Among 285 patients with whole information, 36 patients (12.6%) suffered MI, only 2 patients (0.7%) fulfilled definition of myocardial infarction. With most of them occurred within first 7 days after surgery. Multivariable analysis showed that coronary artery disease (CAD) history [odds ratio (OR) 2.817, P = 0.015], non-laparoscopic surgery (OR 5.181, P = 0.030), blood loss ≥ 800 ml (OR 3.430, P = 0.008), non-venous maintain (OR 2.105, P = 0.047), and infection (OR 4.887, P = 0.008) as risk factors for MI. MI was associated with longer hospital stay (P = 0.006), more cardiac consultation (P = 0.011), higher infection(P = 0.016) and reoperation(P = 0.026) rate.

CONCLUSION

MI is common in elderly patients who underwent abdominal surgery, while myocardial infarction is infrequent. They are both associated with risk factors and worse prognosis. MI deserves more attention especially in elderly patients. Troponin I measurement is a useful test after massive surgery, which can help risk-stratifying patients, effective preventing, prompt managing and predicting outcomes. Routine monitoring of cardiac biomarkers especially within 7 days after abdominal surgery in elderly patients is recommended.

Laparoscopy Using Room Air Insufflation in a Rural African Jungle Hospital: The Bongolo Hospital Experience, January 2006 to December 2013

INTRODUCTION

Carbon dioxide is the standard insufflation gas for laparoscopy. However, in many areas of the world, bottled carbon dioxide is not available. Laparoscopy offers advantages over open surgery and has been practiced using filtered room air insufflation since 2006 at Bongolo Hospital in Gabon, Africa.

OBJECTIVE

Our primary goal was to evaluate the safety of room air insufflation related to intraoperative and postoperative complications. Our secondary aim was to review the types of cases performed laparoscopically at our institution.

METHODS

This retrospective review evaluates laparoscopic cases performed at Bongolo Hospital between January 2006 and December 2013. Demographic and perioperative information for patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures was collected. Insufflation was achieved using a standard, oil-free air compressor using filtered air and a standard insufflation regulator.

RESULTS

A total of 368 laparoscopic procedures were identified within the time period. The majority of cases were gynecologic (43%). There was a 2% (8/368) complication rate with one perioperative death. The 2 complications related to insufflation were episodes of hypotension responsive to standard corrective measures. No intracorporeal combustion events were observed in any cases in which the use of diathermy and room air insufflation were combined. The other complications and the death were unrelated to the use of insufflation with air.

CONCLUSION

Insufflation complications with room air occurred in our study. However, the complications related to insufflation with room air in our study were no different than those described in the literature using carbon dioxide. As room air is less costly than carbon dioxide and readily available, confirming the safety of room air insufflation in prospective studies is warranted. Room air appears to be safe for establishing and maintaining pneumoperitoneum, making laparoscopic surgery more accessible to patients in low-resource settings.